Question about a 2002 Chevy Impala base model

[maddiesmommy0503]

My husband got me a new CD player to install in our car that we got about a month ago. It is the base model so it only had a tape player which crapped the bed about 2 weeks ago. He got a JVC at first and hooked it up and it didn't do anything. After messing with it for a few hours he gave up and returned it thinking that it was a defective sterio. He then got a Pioneer and just went to install it and again nothing...hes installed a bunch of CD players for people so hes doing everything right...he triple checked his wiring and everything. Is there something that he hasnt done yet? Is there some sort of theft lock? The strange thing is that he put the regular stock tape deck/FM radio back and it still works...help!!!!!
So much for a nice mothers day gift lol

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF, not sure here, but the BCM has to recognize a code in the radio for it to operate, maybe it won't power this up with the standard wiring, I would think something in the install instructioins would advise on this issue. Hold on here, I am sure someone else in the forums may have more specific advice. LOL, he meant well here and his efforts count, no?

[HeMi101]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Welcome to AF, not sure here, but the BCM has to recognize a code in the radio for it to operate, maybe it won't power this up with the standard wiring, I would think something in the install instructioins would advise on this issue. Hold on here, I am sure someone else in the forums may have more specific advice. LOL, he meant well here and his efforts count, no?

The stock radio receives the Serial number from the BCM otherwise it will just say LOCKED. but Other than that I know nothing about aftermarket radios.

[PAman]

Hi. I have a 2000 that I put a number of aftermarket stereo parts in it. A 2003 shouldn't be much different. I installed without the factory head unit "teed" off the harness, and added it later for service resets, etc. Anyway, you may have a booster amp under the rear shelf. If so, and if he just hooked into the harness connector that plugged into the factory stereo, he's trying to play through that booster. He needs to run speaker wires directly to each speaker(not to the factory stereo connector), or find the schematic for the plug on the booster, and jump the pertinent contacts. If no booster, let us know, but if he's done this before, he may have just overlooked this, as it doesn't add much to the factory unit's power and they hide it....

[PAman]

PS: Stick with the Pioneer! After 34 years of using and installing them, they are still one of the best choices, if not THE best choice. My latest is a (Pioneer) Premier DEH-P980BT and I love it. (I'm not an installer or retailer)